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Event date: 11-12-2024
District: Thrissur
Venue: Guruvayur temple, Thrissur district
Ekadasi, the eleventh day of a lunar fortnight, is considered auspicious by the Hindus. Of the 24 Ekadasis in a year, the Vrishchika Ekadasi in the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam (corresponding to November/December) has got special significance.
At the Guruvayur temple, the presiding deity of which is Lord Krishna, Ekadasi Vilakku (vilakku means lighted lamp) starts a month before the Ekadasi day. This is done as an offering by the devotees.
The highlights of the month-long Ekadasi festival at the temple are the udayastamanapooja (dawn-to-dusk pooja); a memorial service for the famed temple elephant Gajarajan Kesavan and the eleven-day Carnatic music festival held in memory of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, legendry Carnatic musician. And on the Ekadasi day after the evening poojas the famous Ekadasi Vilakku with elephant procession takes place.
Getting there
Nearest railway station: Guruvayur, around one km.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, around 87 km.
Disclaimer
In Kerala, festival dates are decided in accordance with the Malayalam calendar and the local traditions and customs. We have calculated the festival dates based on these. But there can be changes in the dates according the customs and rituals associated with each place of worship. As such, these should be considered only as approximate dates and have to be confirmed with the local authorities.
